The Second Coming of Christ

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), without doubt, is the last Prophet and Messenger. Allah did not send and will not send any Prophet after him to take his place.

Allah says: “But (he is) the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets and Allah has full knowledge of all things.” [Sûrah al-Ahzâb: 40]

Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) made the meaning of this verse perfectly clear when he said: “I am the last of the Prophets” “There is no Prophet after me.” “There shall be no prophethood after me.” and “Indeed, prophethood and messengership have come to an end.”

All of these statements are established with authentic chains of transmission and can be are found in the major books of hadîth like Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim.

However, Prophet Muhammad also informed us, in numerous ways, that Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) will return to Earth – not to bring a new prophecy, but to be a just judge for the people.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) informed us of a large number events that would unfold in the future. Some of these have already taken place while the others are still to happen. Among the prophecies that have yet to manifest themselves are those relating to the major signs of the Last Days.

One of these major signs is the descent of Christ (peace be upon him) to the Earth.

Jesus Was Not Crucified

Jesus (peace be upon him) had ascended to the heavens when it was made to appear that he was crucified.

In the Qur’ân, we read: “…and because of their saying: ‘We killed Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God!’ But they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them that they did. And those who differ therein are full of doubts with no certain knowledge. And they surely did not kill him. Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.” [Sûrah al-Nisâ’: 157-158]

This has been a great trial for the Children of Israel and for the followers of Christianity until today.

Many Christians vest in Jesus (peace be upon him) false beliefs and claim him to be the son of Allah. Some Christians even venerate the cross they think he was crucified on.

Allah has clarified the truth about Jesus (peace be upon him) in several verses of the Qur’ân.

For instance, Allah says: “O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not ‘Trinity.’ Desist; it will be better for you, for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him. (Far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on Earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.” [Sûrah al-Nisâ’: 171]

The Qur’ân Foretells of Christ’s Return

The Qur’ân says: “And there is none of the people of the Book but must believe in Him before his death, and on the Day of Judgment He will be a witness against them.”[Sûrah al-Nisâ’: 159]

Allah also says about Jesus in the Qur’ân: “And he shall be a sign of the Hour. Therefore have no doubt about the Hour, but follow Me. That is the straight path.” [Sûrah al-Zukhruf: 61]

Prophet Muhammad Foretells of Christ’s Return

There are also many hadîth regarding Jesus (peace be upon him) and his descent to Earth. These hadîth are of a high caliber of authenticity.

Abû Hurayrah relates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “By Him in Whose hand is my life, the son of Mary (peace be upon him) will soon descend among you as a just judge. He will break crosses, kill the swine and abolish the poll-tax, and wealth will pour forth to such an extent that no one will accept it.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2222) and Sahîh Muslim (155)]

In the narration of this hadîth recorded by Ibn `Uyaynah, it reads: “a just imam and arbitrator”.

After conveying these words of the Prophet, Abû Hurayrah then says: “Read if you want: ‘And there is none of the people of the Book but must believe in Him before his death’.”

In this way, Abû Hurayrah shows that he understands the hadîth to elaborate on the meaning given in the verse of the Qur’ân.

Abû Hurayrah also relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) also said [Sunan Abî Dâwûd (4324) and Musnad Ahmad (8902)]:

Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The Prophets are brothers of the same father with different mothers, and their religion is one. I am the closest in relationship to Jesus, the son of Mary, because there was no prophet between him and me.

Jesus will descend. If you see him, then know him. He is a man of a moderately ruddy complexion. He will be wearing two faintly yellow garments. His hair will seem to have drops of water upon it, even though it will not be wet.

He will strive with the people for Islam. He will break the cross, kill the swine, and abolish the poll-tax. Allah will make all sects to come to an end during his time except Islam, and Allah will cause the Antichrist to perish.

Jesus will live for forty years, and then he shall die. The Muslims will conduct his (funeral) prayer and bury him.

This hadîth is clear that when Christ (peace be upon him) returns, he will govern the people according to the teachings of Islam.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “By Him in whose hand is my soul, the son of Mary will approach the al-Rawhâ’ pass (between Mecca and Madinah), to perform Hajj, `Umrah, or both.” [Sahîh Muslim (1252)]

Also in Sahîh Muslim is a very long hadîth giving an account of the Antichrist and the various trials he will bring. After an account of a number of the hardships and calamities that will befall the people at the hands of the Antichrist, the Prophet (peace be upon him) informs us that he will defeat the Antichrist after which he will overcome Gog and Magog. [Sahîh Muslim (2937)]

There are many authentic hadîth in this regard that reach the status of a report of the general masses (mutawâtir), the highest grade a hadîth can have.